UVA's Militarized Police Response: Open Letter to UVA President Jim Ryan

Dear President Ryan,
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Last Saturday the Virginia State Police unleashed chaos and violence on unarmed students and local community members who were protesting peacefully on UVA Grounds. The decision to inflict this force on them was not only ruthless, it was disproportionate. We were truly horrified to witness militarized police in riot gear plow through the small encampment, tearing down tents, while pushing, grabbing, and pepper spraying anti-war protestors in the face. Listening to the terrified screams was chilling.

Those of us who are students of civil rights history know that a militarized police force is often used as a tool of oppression to enforce systemic racism in this country. From our perspective, the decision to violently overpower protestors last Saturday fits into a historical pattern of the powerful “punching down” on those with less power and voice. The non-violent protesters gathered that day because they care deeply about what’s happening in a war zone. They were attempting to speak truth to power. 

Compounding injustice, the decision was then made to not allow the arrested students to return to Grounds. For some, this has meant losing access to meal plans and belongings in dorms, as well as not being able to finish the academic year. Please consider the health and wellbeing of these students as if they were your own children. They are not the enemy and they deserve fair treatment and care, especially by the university that they’ve entrusted with their education. 

We urge you to immediately lift the “No Trespass Order” for all students, faculty, and staff.

Signed,
Elizabeth Shillue, Director, Beloved Community Cville (BCC)
Michael Cheuk, Assistant Director, BCC
Don Gathers, Member, BCC; Community Activist
Apostle Sarah Kelley, Pastor, Faith, Hope and Love Church; Docent, BCC
Brenda Brown-Grooms, Co-Pastor, New Beginnings Christian Community
Dianne Bearinger, Social Media Manager, BCC
Lisa M. Draine, Community Member
Emily Dreyfus, Legal Aid
Frances Racette, Quaker witness
Jenny Phillips, Community Member and chaplain
Gene Locke, Retired clergy, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Adam Slate, Unitarian Universalist seminarian
Sharon Beckman-Brindley, Insight Meditation Community of Charlottesville
Karen Mann, Pastor, Sojourners UCC​
Richard Lord, Activists Guide
Laura DeVault, Community Member